No. 14 Red Raiders aided by eager group of graduate assistants

A couple of minutes following practice, it’s not unusual to see Jarrett Culver and Zhaire Smith putting up shots inside United Supermarkets Arena.

The Texas Tech freshmen duo, who have become burgeoning talents in their first collegiate seasons, have put in the work to earn the distinction.

A few feet away from the first-year guards are a couple of Red Raiders staff members who have also played a small part of their success.

Denver Cobb and Casey Perrin, a pair of graduate assistants, watch as the two Red Raiders take jumpers around the perimeter, rebound and begin the process once more.

"Our main job is just working with the players, being with the players on the court, helping them rebound and anything they need," said Perrin, a former 5-foot-9 guard who went from walk-on scout teamer to scholarship player as a senior at Campbell University in North Carolina. "I had no idea what any of it entailed, but I just love basketball. So wherever this takes me, I know that hard work always pays off."

Getting shots up

The rhythmic pounding of the basketball has become a familiar sound for Perrin and Cobb, who also gain a helping hand from Jarred Jackson and former Tech standout Darryl Dora when it comes to on-court duties. Parker Eidson handles basketball operations.

"What's great about it is there's so many of us and we can work toward our strengths. ... It's been everything I expected. There was no false advertising," said Cobb, who also aids Texas Tech assistant Mark Adams with defense. "It's been awesome being able to learn from coach Adams, and having a real role to help this team defensively is great.

"And then there's the stuff we do after practice like helping the young guys (Culver and Smith) who love to get in the gym and get the extra work in. Those are the two biggest roles: helping on defense and helping the young guys get better after and before practices. ..."

Before Cobb, a former shooting guard at Embry-Riddle, could complete his next sentence, Culver meandered his way over and nodded his head.

“What do I do now?” asked the 6-5 guard and second-leading scorer (11.7 points) for the No. 14 Red Raiders.

“NBA three-pointers,” said Cobb, who owns several 3-point records and scored more than 1,500 points during his collegiate career in Daytona Beach, Fla. “Keep working on that form.”

A few minutes later, Culver plunked the front and back of the rim a couple of times before freshman Avery Benson gives him grief.

“Out of your range, JC,” said Benson, a preferred walk-on who was hanging out in the stands.

“Shut it,” Culver replied, cracking a smile before he stood at the right wing of the 3-point line. “Just wait.”

Swish. Swish. Swish.

“I always tell him, even though he doesn't have the prettiest shot, JC if you just: reps, reps, reps, then you'll get it,” Cobb said. “Reggie Miller didn't have the prettiest shot either. But he's one of the best shooters ever.”

Cobb's opinion counts for something. He made 261 3s from 2005-2009 with Embry-Riddle, an NCAA Division II program.

Same connection

Perrin and Cobb each realize how fortunate they are to be in their current positions.

Both were quick to point out neither of their journeys would have started without the help of Brian Burg, the chief of staff for the Texas Tech basketball team.

Burg, who was an assistant at Campbell University from 2009-2013, met both Cobb (then a coach) and Perrin (then a freshman guard) and kept tabs on both until he saw a few graduate assistant slots open up. It's been a win-win situation for all involved.

"One of my best friends, Ryan Ridder, was an assistant with Burg back at Campbell," Cobb recalled. "I went up there working camps and that's how I built a relationship with Burg. That was about seven or eight years ago and we stayed in touch."

While Cobb and Burg were recently groomsmen at Ridder's wedding, the idea of coming to Lubbock came up on a golf course.

That turned into more than a casual conversation as Cobb spoke with head coach Chris Beard last May. It also marked the first time he met Perrin, who was in his first season as a graduate assistant.

"After meeting Beard, I knew this is what I was going to do," Cobb said. "So I got back to Montana and literally in like four to five days, I sold some furniture, left my washer and dryer, bought a topper for my truck and drove to Lubbock.

"I just packed some clothes, shoes and pictures. Whatever fit in my truck."

Future goals

While their paths to get to Lubbock were vastly different, Cobb and Perrin are both looking to one day become head coaches in a profession they love and respect.

For now, though, the duo are looking forward to experiencing what should be a fun month of March.

It all begins at 6:27 p.m. Thursday with No. 3 seed Tech taking on No. 14 seed Stephen F. Austin at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

"I've never had a winning season since I've been in college, and I was in a prep school before that," Perrin said. "I haven't had a winning season in years, so this is the most special season I've ever been a part of. I've learned so much and hope to learn more from coach Beard and the staff."

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